A team from the La Paz University Hospital Research Institute (IdiPAZ) has discovered the crucial role of the MAFG protein in the progression of melanoma. The study, published in the journal Nature, demonstrates that inhibiting this protein has a significant antitumor effect.
Laboratory tests indicate that blocking MAFG reduces the growth of melanoma cells and halts their advancement. In animal models, it has been observed that this inhibition prevents the malignization of benign skin lesions, such as nevi or moles.
The research reveals that the MAFG protein is essential for melanoma development but does not affect the normal functioning of melanocytes. This makes it a promising therapeutic target for selective treatments against the tumor, minimizing damage to healthy tissue.
The study also describes for the first time the interaction of MAFG with MITF, another relevant protein in skin cancer development. This finding opens new avenues for targeted therapies, although the need for further studies to confirm their clinical potential is emphasized.
This breakthrough, resulting from collaboration with scientists from the United States, highlights the research capacity of IdiPAZ and the strength of the network of Health Research Institutes of the Community of Madrid.
